Training 2025 Pre-Season Training - reports, pics etc

[marcmurphy3]

Decided to go along again today, having found where the team trained last Friday. I see the club posted another of those training in 60 videos before I managed to post this, if you look closely the training tops were white when turned inside out, instead of orange today. Unfortunately I didn't do a head count so I'm not sure if anyone was missing, but suspect Cincotta was missing again. Cottrell walked past me a couple of times but didn't go out on the training track, I did notice Fantasia was training on his own on a second ground next to the building. He eventually came on to the main training ground when the did a drill on both grounds, but basically was kicking at goal up one end.

Noticed that Cripps had a shoulder strapped, as did Corey Durdin (still wearing the yellow hat), Olli Hollands had a yellow hat on too, but was being tackled so maybe that doesn't mean not to be tackled. I still think there is a bit of a re-hab group with Silvagni, Acres, Duffy, McGovern and Durdin joining in for some drills or being the end target in some drills, but not fully joining in training.

After warming up one they split into two groups and one played soccer, while the other group caught tennis balls belted as high as possible into the air. The players were called out to catch the ball and lots of good natured cheering and ribbing took place if the ball was caught or dropped.

The next drill was the one at the start of the video, bibs were given to one group the tacklers and the others were trying to take and stand in the tackle, then dish it off to the others. Of course Cripps excelled at this, using the bibs allowed them to swap in new tacklers and keep the pressure up. Unlike Friday where they did running at the end of the session, today they did running between the drills. Running around the boundary anti-clock wise, then turning and going back the other way, before moving on to the next drill.

They divided into forward, mids and defenders - so for the players there has been talk about - Kemp was with the forwards, Newman and Ollie with the defenders. Inside an area marked out by cones, one group practiced moving the ball while the others put pressure on them. Not sure being forward, mids or defenders matters much, Pitto and O'Keffee did some crash tackling of a big tackle bag during this drill and while the majority did the running.

They then split into two big groups and practiced ball movement on the whole ground, one group went to the ground Fantasia was running on for this drill. It looked to me like they were trying to practice getting through a zone defence, there were more attackers than defenders. Weitering managed to turn the ball over at one stage as a defender and kick a goal which they all celebrated. But this was the only time the defenders managed to stop the ball movement, more running after this drill. They completed a similar drill in a number of smaller groups on the main ground, followed by more running.

Around this time some players started to leave the track and head off, Acres, Charlie and Walshy left together, while SOS and TDK left around this time too. They did some wrestling activities next, pairing up and shoulder blocked each other for a while before trying to push or knock their opponent over. They followed this by including the ball with one player picking it up and another tackling him ball and all. It pretty much wound up from there, with some players playing a reaction game with Hamill, others like Kemp did goal kicking.

I'm not planning to go to Friday's open session, hopefully someone who does and can give us a report. It's not the greatest ground to watch footy at one side slopes away from the fence and only one flank provides a bit of height to see the ground. There is some road works being done between the road running around the Uni and the sports area. Hopefully the club is prepared for a crowd of kids, like has turned out at recent open training sessions and all the extra traffic, that will go along with it.

Great report. Thanks for heading down. Was there anyone in particular that impressed you? How was Jagga?

 

[BigBreakfast]

Decided to go along again today, having found where the team trained last Friday.

I see the club posted another of those training in 60 videos before I managed to post this, if you look closely the training tops were white when turned inside out, instead of orange today.

Unfortunately I didn't do a head count so I'm not sure if anyone was missing, but suspect Cincotta was missing again.

Cottrell walked past me a couple of times but didn't go out on the training track, I did notice Fantasia was training on his own on a second ground next to the building. He eventually came on to the main training ground when the did a drill on both grounds, but basically was kicking at goal up one end.

Noticed that Cripps had a shoulder strapped, as did Corey Durdin (still wearing the yellow hat), Olli Hollands had a yellow hat on too, but was being tackled so maybe that doesn't mean not to be tackled.

I still think there is a bit of a re-hab group with Silvagni, Acres, Duffy, McGovern and Durdin joining in for some drills or being the end target in some drills, but not fully joining in training.

After warming up one they split into two groups and one played soccer, while the other group caught tennis balls belted as high as possible into the air.

The players were called out to catch the ball and lots of good natured cheering and ribbing took place if the ball was caught or dropped.

The next drill was the one at the start of the video, bibs were given to one group the tacklers and the others were trying to take and stand in the tackle, then dish it off to the others.

Of course Cripps excelled at this, using the bibs allowed them to swap in new tacklers and keep the pressure up.

Unlike Friday where they did running at the end of the session, today they did running between the drills.

Running around the boundary anti-clock wise, then turning and going back the other way, before moving on to the next drill.

They divided into forward, mids and defenders - so for the players there has been talk about - Kemp was with the forwards, Newman and Ollie with the defenders.

Inside an area marked out by cones, one group practiced moving the ball while the others put pressure on them.

Not sure being forward, mids or defenders matters much, Pitto and O'Keffee did some crash tackling of a big tackle bag during this drill and while the majority did the running.

They then split into two big groups and practiced ball movement on the whole ground, one group went to the ground Fantasia was running on for this drill.

It looked to me like they were trying to practice getting through a zone defence, there were more attackers than defenders.

Weitering managed to turn the ball over at one stage as a defender and kick a goal which they all celebrated. But this was the only time the defenders managed to stop the ball movement, more running after this drill.

They completed a similar drill in a number of smaller groups on the main ground, followed by more running.

Around this time some players started to leave the track and head off, Acres, Charlie and Walshy left together, while SOS and TDK left around this time too.

They did some wrestling activities next, pairing up and shoulder blocked each other for a while before trying to push or knock their opponent over.

They followed this by including the ball with one player picking it up and another tackling him ball and all.

It pretty much wound up from there, with some players playing a reaction game with Hamill, others like Kemp did goal kicking.

I'm not planning to go to Friday's open session, hopefully someone who does and can give us a report.

It's not the greatest ground to watch footy at one side slopes away from the fence and only one flank provides a bit of height to see the ground.

There is some road works being done between the road running around the Uni and the sports area.

Hopefully the club is prepared for a crowd of kids, like has turned out at recent open training sessions and all the extra traffic, that will go along with it.

Cheers Wildman

Love your work

 

[RAPPA]

History says Sam D breaks down at the highest load/AFL intensity. Think he might be able to cope at a lower level as he did in SANFL.

I'd be looking elsewhere based on a couple of games over 3 seasons. We don't need a world beater - we need a big potato to sit in packs and punch for various games/matchups. I don't think Haynes will cope with that unfamiliar role (light bodied interceptor)

Interestingly, while Austin was at the dogs, and now at the blues, hasn't put much value in tall defenders; and at Carlton, a stoppage tall defender. Will see if it is an impact over this season. Was last season.

Given it's an area of our list where we are significantly depleted in options/depth, I don't think it's a risk worth taking by giving him a list spot when his body keeps failing him.

 

[Soapy V]

Decided to go along again today, having found where the team trained last Friday.

I see the club posted another of those training in 60 videos before I managed to post this, if you look closely the training tops were white when turned inside out, instead of orange today.

Unfortunately I didn't do a head count so I'm not sure if anyone was missing, but suspect Cincotta was missing again.

Cottrell walked past me a couple of times but didn't go out on the training track, I did notice Fantasia was training on his own on a second ground next to the building. He eventually came on to the main training ground when the did a drill on both grounds, but basically was kicking at goal up one end.

Noticed that Cripps had a shoulder strapped, as did Corey Durdin (still wearing the yellow hat), Olli Hollands had a yellow hat on too, but was being tackled so maybe that doesn't mean not to be tackled.

I still think there is a bit of a re-hab group with Silvagni, Acres, Duffy, McGovern and Durdin joining in for some drills or being the end target in some drills, but not fully joining in training.

After warming up one they split into two groups and one played soccer, while the other group caught tennis balls belted as high as possible into the air.

The players were called out to catch the ball and lots of good natured cheering and ribbing took place if the ball was caught or dropped.

The next drill was the one at the start of the video, bibs were given to one group the tacklers and the others were trying to take and stand in the tackle, then dish it off to the others.

Of course Cripps excelled at this, using the bibs allowed them to swap in new tacklers and keep the pressure up.

Unlike Friday where they did running at the end of the session, today they did running between the drills.

Running around the boundary anti-clock wise, then turning and going back the other way, before moving on to the next drill.

They divided into forward, mids and defenders - so for the players there has been talk about - Kemp was with the forwards, Newman and Ollie with the defenders.

Inside an area marked out by cones, one group practiced moving the ball while the others put pressure on them.

Not sure being forward, mids or defenders matters much, Pitto and O'Keffee did some crash tackling of a big tackle bag during this drill and while the majority did the running.

They then split into two big groups and practiced ball movement on the whole ground, one group went to the ground Fantasia was running on for this drill.

It looked to me like they were trying to practice getting through a zone defence, there were more attackers than defenders.

Weitering managed to turn the ball over at one stage as a defender and kick a goal which they all celebrated. But this was the only time the defenders managed to stop the ball movement, more running after this drill.

They completed a similar drill in a number of smaller groups on the main ground, followed by more running.

Around this time some players started to leave the track and head off, Acres, Charlie and Walshy left together, while SOS and TDK left around this time too.

They did some wrestling activities next, pairing up and shoulder blocked each other for a while before trying to push or knock their opponent over.

They followed this by including the ball with one player picking it up and another tackling him ball and all.

It pretty much wound up from there, with some players playing a reaction game with Hamill, others like Kemp did goal kicking.

I'm not planning to go to Friday's open session, hopefully someone who does and can give us a report.

It's not the greatest ground to watch footy at one side slopes away from the fence and only one flank provides a bit of height to see the ground.

There is some road works being done between the road running around the Uni and the sports area.

Hopefully the club is prepared for a crowd of kids, like has turned out at recent open training sessions and all the extra traffic, that will go along with it.

Great report. Thanks

I only thing I will add is the training is very much like last year. Lots of groups, contested ball and then run but seems to lack some structure or thought?

The question I have, and have had for a couple of seasons now, is we spend bugger all time on skills work. It's very much fed into our drills and not a focus. I wish it was. I have liked how clubs such as Melbourne employed someone like Mark Williams as a development/skills coach. Works on kicking, handballs etc. Old school. I think it's something we really need

Just my take


PS Comment from someone in the know saying a lot more time in the gym this pre season. Strength and explosive work a focus

 

[RAPPA]

Great report. Thanks

I only thing I will add is the training is very much like last year. Lots of groups, contested ball and then run but seems to lack some structure or thought.

The question I have, and have had for a couple of seasons now is we spend bugger all time on skills work. It's very much fed into our drills and not a focus. I wish it was. I have liked how clubs such as Melbourne employed someone like Mark Williams as a development/skills coach. Works on kicking, handballs etc. Old school. I think it's something we really need

Just my take


PS Comment from someone in the know saying a lot more time in the gym this pre season. Strength and explosive work a focus

It pains me to watch the basic skill errors time and time again, year after year. Precision in kicking and handpassing is king.

 

[tarczonandjane]

Great report. Thanks

I only thing I will add is the training is very much like last year. Lots of groups, contested ball and then run but seems to lack some structure or thought?

The question I have, and have had for a couple of seasons now, is we spend bugger all time on skills work. It's very much fed into our drills and not a focus. I wish it was. I have liked how clubs such as Melbourne employed someone like Mark Williams as a development/skills coach. Works on kicking, handballs etc. Old school. I think it's something we really need

Just my take


PS Comment from someone in the know saying a lot more time in the gym this pre season. Strength and explosive work a focus

An interesting observation, Soapy. It saddens me to hear it. I’m personally a believer that great kicks of the ball are born not made. But I also think that players can improve their skills. If we can take a couple of players who are 6 out of 10 with their kicking and lift that to 7 out of 10, then that would give us real improvement. Across the squad, that incrementalism makes a massive difference.

 

[Juice030103]

Really feel positive going into this next season.

Knock on wood could finally be the year where Cripps Cez and walshy are all at their best


Jagga Hewett Lord also great “second options”, I know I know


kemp third tall forward could be the making of us, provided the mids and backs actually kick it to him. Moir mots could be ready to fire


Normally I’m stressing about injuries or players looking out of shape, seems like they have really come in this year wanting it

 

[Arr0w]

Interesting listening to Cripps this morning, where he stated there has only been a couple of tweaks to the HP program this off season

I guess we as supporters only see a few sessions during to off season, but wondering what layers the coaches are tweaking for the new season

 

[Soapy V]

An interesting observation, Soapy. It saddens me to hear it. I’m personally a believer that great kicks of the ball are born not made. But I also think that players can improve their skills. If we can take a couple of players who are 6 out of 10 with their kicking and lift that to 7 out of 10, then that would give us real improvement. Across the squad, that incrementalism makes a massive difference.

I agree. It's just my take on what I see. My personal opinion is our ball use is poor. Worst of any of the top 8 sides this year. Improve it by 5% and we are right up there. It's why I was keen for a guy like Langford. Elite ball use.

Having said this I believe the inclusions of Smith Wilson Haynes Lord Moir Docherty Hollands (off HB) will hopefully help this area.

 

[marcmurphy3]

Being up in Brisbane I have been to a fair few Lions sessions over the years, and what always stands out to me is how slick their skills look in training compared to ours. Not a surprise thats how it plays out during the season. Hopefully that shifts.

 

[bradfisher14]

Interesting listening to Cripps this morning, where he stated there has only been a couple of tweaks to the HP program this off season

I guess we as supporters only see a few sessions during to off season, but wondering what layers the coaches are tweaking for the new season

Do you really expect him to throw Russell, and the club by extension, under the bus in a press conference?

Cripps isn't known to give much detail at the best of times and he has publicly supported Russell in the past. It was just a straight bat response and should be taken with a massive grain of salt.

 

[Aphrodite]

What they said: Patrick Cripps’ big pre-season update

Patrick Cripps speaks on how the Blues are shaping leading into his 12th year at the Club.

www.carltonfc.com.au

SEN Audio:-

 

[The Bighouse]

Great report. Thanks

I only thing I will add is the training is very much like last year. Lots of groups, contested ball and then run but seems to lack some structure or thought?

The question I have, and have had for a couple of seasons now, is we spend bugger all time on skills work. It's very much fed into our drills and not a focus. I wish it was. I have liked how clubs such as Melbourne employed someone like Mark Williams as a development/skills coach. Works on kicking, handballs etc. Old school. I think it's something we really need

Just my take


PS Comment from someone in the know saying a lot more time in the gym this pre season. Strength and explosive work a focus

From the outside looking in, this is a glaring “fix” that should have been implemented with a skills regime to better each player (with a specialist coach/team). This is not an overnight weakness appearing, been harping on about it for years…
Need to address (priorities)

• skills training
• defensive stoppage work (last season’s pitfall)
• forward-line functions/roles (many years in the abyss as well)

 

[CarmenSandiego]

It pains me to watch the basic skill errors time and time again, year after year. Precision in kicking and handpassing is king.

Think it comes down to recruitment & drafting rather than training. Played a lot of footy & very rarely did I, or anyone I played with, improve their skills consistently over their career - besides set shot kicking.

Can practice your kicking & handballing as much as you want out on the track, but under the pressure of game day, it almost always reverted back to the natural skill level. Reckon investing in skills for hours on end on the track is a bit of a waste, go with pressure drills & leave it up to the players to work on them there.

Having said that, there's definitely a few AFL players that have turned it around.

Jobe Watson is one.
Cripps' kicking this year was sublime, very underrated how much that improved.

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

Specialist tackling coaching
Get Melbourne Storm on the phone…

 

[marcmurphy3]

Think it comes down to recruitment & drafting rather than training. Played a lot of footy & very rarely did I, or anyone I played with, improve their skills consistently over their career - besides set shot kicking.

Can practice your kicking & handballing as much as you want out on the track, but under the pressure of game day, it almost always reverted back to the natural skill level. Reckon investing in skills for hours on end on the track is a bit of a waste, go with pressure drills & leave it up to the players to work on them there.

Having said that, there's definitely a few AFL players that have turned it around.

Jobe Watson is one.
Cripps' kicking this year was sublime, very underrated how much that improved.

Diesel privately mentored Jobe. Need to get him working with Ben C.

 

[Soapy V]

Diesel privately mentored Jobe. Need to get him working with Ben C.

IIRC didn't Diesel come out and help training pre season before last when Voss started? Said he was going to help with skills. I remember thinking this would be awesome but then seemed to stop

 

[JustaBattler]

Specialist tackling coaching
Get Melbourne Storm on the phone…

Anyone who has played decent level of either rugby code could show AFL flosses how to make a proper legal hit - it ain't rocket science.

eg Pittonet's tackling drill intoa dummy posted the other day - evidenced exactly how NOT to go about executing a tackle - very high risk of injuring himself and low risk of stopping a runner with one outstretched arm dangling in the air like that- PATHETIC - and LOL as if Pittonet would ever launch into a flying tackle anyway..

 

[marcmurphy3]

IIRC didn't Diesel come out and help training pre season before last when Voss started? Said he was going to help with skills. I remember thinking this would be awesome but then seemed to stop

He was a part time skills coach for a while but got let go during covid cuts. Then came in as footy director but was often on the track helping during voss's first preseason even though its not his job. Havent seen any images of him at training the past few years.

Would be great, even it was just private sessions with a few particular players.

 

[Arr0w]

Do you really expect him to throw Russell, and the club by extension, under the bus in a press conference?

Cripps isn't known to give much detail at the best of times and he has publicly supported Russell in the past. It was just a straight bat response and should be taken with a massive grain of salt.

Not sure what my post has to do with Russell

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

Anyone who has played decent level of either rugby code could show AFL flosses how to make a proper legal hit - it ain't rocket science.

eg Pittonet's tackling drill intoa dummy posted the other day - evidenced exactly how NOT to go about executing a tackle - very high risk of injuring himself and low risk of stopping a runner with one outstretched arm dangling in the air like that- PATHETIC - and LOL as if Pittonet would ever launch into a flying tackle anyway..

We did use Storm back when they were stationed at our ground from memory, yeah Pitts effort/technique was so ordinary you can only chuckle and shake your head…
We need a proper tackling program that teaches the right application and techniques…

 

[JustaBattler]

We did use Storm back when they were stationed at our ground from memory, yeah Pitts effort/technique was so ordinary you can only chuckle and shake your head…
We need a proper tackling program that teaches the right application and techniques…

yeah but all jokes aside - the AFL and umpiring isn't a fan of 'proper tackles' - Ive seen both McGovern and Cripps penalised for 'dangerous tackles' - which were perfectly executed shoulder into opposiiton players' guts and drive tackles - instead of opposition player being penalised for holding the ball...

meh - I cant take AFl seriously anbout their contact rules and 'umpire' 'interpretations' whilst being coached during games from the sidelines by an umpire official in the stands...

something very very wrong about all that...

 

[Soapy V]

He was a part time skills coach for a while but got let go during covid cuts. Then came in as footy director but was often on the track helping during voss's first preseason even though its not his job. Havent seen any images of him at training the past few years.

Would be great, even it was just private sessions with a few particular players.

Would love to see him work with Lord, Campo twins & Smith. The experience would be invaluable

 

[Blue__Balls]

Great report. Thanks

I only thing I will add is the training is very much like last year. Lots of groups, contested ball and then run but seems to lack some structure or thought?

The question I have, and have had for a couple of seasons now, is we spend bugger all time on skills work. It's very much fed into our drills and not a focus. I wish it was. I have liked how clubs such as Melbourne employed someone like Mark Williams as a development/skills coach. Works on kicking, handballs etc. Old school. I think it's something we really need

Just my take


PS Comment from someone in the know saying a lot more time in the gym this pre season. Strength and explosive work a focus

Seems to me that a lot of that sort of work could be being done behind closed doors at the club facilities. Big ol' indoor space where they can practice kicking and handballing. Being out on the park is a good opportunity to do more match sim and game situation stuff.

Personally, while it would be great for the club to drive it, I think general skills really should be being constantly practiced by the players. If they know their disposal is a bit iffy (and you'd absolutely know if yours was), then there are plenty of avenues those players can explore to address it - from leaning on teammates with better skills/technique, to approaching the line coaches or development coaches directly, to leveraging external contacts for one-on-one coaching.

I'll never view poor skills as a failing of the club. It's something every player should take full ownership of - anyone can learn to kick or handball better, it ain't genetic.

 

[tarczonandjane]

Playing devil’s advocate on the skills issue, might the club believe that if we have power and speed to create space and time then we will better execute our skills?